The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-07-31
Tho Great Invasion Of Asia.

The Cars explorers in central Asia have
ever been the forerunners Of his army. It is
thus that the political significance Of their
work has fully equalled It's scientific interest.
Russias greed for territorial aggrandize-
ment Is the spur that has helped her to out
strip all other nations In the extent and i'm
portance Of her recent geographic researches
The past ten years work Of her tireless ex-
plorers commands the unstinted admiration
of geographers. Trained in the best scien-
tiflc schools, provided with every desirable
appliance, they have pushed into all parts OF
inner Asia, and the results Of their Ia
bors rank with the best achievements of
scientific travellers. They have given years
of patient research to the intricate mountain
system OF central ASIA they have surveyed
lts salt seas traced It's rivers to their sources,
toiled through its sandy wastes, and studied
nil its forms of life; but more than all else,
they have been the pioneers Of the great Rus
sian invasion.
Only three or four years ago the Russians
gave US the first modern description Of the
Pamir, that wonderful plateau. The highest
In the world, In whose rarefled atmosphere
MARCO Polo could with difficulty kindle a
fire. Two weeks ago the cable informed US
that 5000 Russian troops were In camp at
Roshan, almost In tho centre OF this plateau,
with only the ranges Of the Hindoo Koosh
system between them and the plains Of In
Ola. Within the past two years Russian ex-
plorers have been infinitely studying the
mountainous region Of eastern Bokhara.
The printed records Of their work had hardly
reached this country before we were told last
week that 5000 Russian soldiers had ap-
peared at Karategin, and that few weeks
Sgo some towns in this region had solicited
The advantages of Russian rule. It may be
that the Emir OF Bokhara will not be de-
spoiled Of large part Of his dominions; but
all the usual symptoms that precede Rus
sia's territorial INSCRIPTIONS are manifest to-
day in the Eastern regions and on the south
ern border Of Bokhara, and it looks very
much like case OF impending annexation.
J In the year 1886 twelve finely equipped ex-
petitions were at work between the Caspian
Sea and the Chinese frontier gathering data
to complete the cartography Of vast and i'm
perfectly known regions These researches
will benefit many branches of science.
Some Russian biologists studied the extern
sive glaciers Of the Khan Tengri group Of
mountains, which, In the latitude of New
York, overlook the western part Of the great
Cobb desert. Others studied mountain for
nation, examined soils, and noted new lands
adapted for tillage. Botanists made elaborate
researches concerning the distribution of
plant life, and ethnologists shed new light
upon the knotty problems Of Asian ethnolo-
gy, and observed the rapid changes that are
taking place In populations.
All this information Is obtained primarily
for the use Of the Government, and much Of
1t never reaches the world at large until
Russia has made such use as she desires OF
these newly acquired facts to advance her
Asian interests- The latest surprise these
energetic explorers have given US was the
news, last week. that they had attempted to
penetrate among the untamed people Of
KGhristan, one Of the countries bordering on
India. With Russian troops In their rear on
the Pamir heights, 1t La easy to see that the
system which has controlled Russia's prog
ress toward India thus FAR Is still maintained
The pioneers Of science lead the way and the
regiments OF the Gar follow not far behind
The Russian advance Is the first invasion
OF Central Asia since JNGHIs Khan and
TAMERLANE swept the country to the Ural
Mountains. levelled all its cities to the
ground. and numbered their victims by
millions. Their mission was to destroy, but
Russia's purpose is to reconstruct and re-
WITTY. Great regions that the Mongoi in
Vaders cursed with perjury and misery now
Doho the sounds OF human industry. Vast
works OF irrigation are rapidly retaining
large areas to fertility. -H-'r-'r.
There Is much in this great enterprise that
appeals to most nations as a striking Illus
tration OF human progress; but to Great
Britain the work of Russia appears as
menace. II Afghanistan does not become
British frontier, says Col. STEWART OF the
Afghan Boundary Commission, 1t will DO
aads Russian frontier, Thus Central Asia,
BOW entering IN some measure Into the hfe